Dr. Scott DraperAnthropology/Sociology Assistant Professor

About Dr. Scott Draper

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Expertise

Personal Statement

I held a variety of jobs before becoming a sociologist. For instance, I acted on stage in Boston, drove a limo in Los Angeles, detasseled corn in Iowa, assisted tourists at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, taught high school in Denver, and copyedited medical journals in Waco.

I am a generalist, but most of my research has been in the sociology of religion. My work has investigated the widespread belief in angels, media consumption by religious groups, paranormal beliefs, cohabitation, God concepts, and more.

My main focus in recent years has been empirical assessment of interaction ritual theory. The theory seeks to uncover universal patterns in micro-level social interaction, especially ways in which groups and organizations develop shared identities, moral codes, and convictions about what is true.

I want my students to share the deep pleasure I take in doing sociology. Increased human understanding, Max Weber’s verstehen, is sociology’s constant goal and greatest benefit. I take great pleasure in continuing that pursuit as a member of the C of I community.